New Director General of Sports Dr. Shemal Fernando

Dr. Shemal Fernando, PhD has been appointed as the Director General of Sports by the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the President  Ranil Wickramasinghe on the recommendations of Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Roshan Ranasinghe.

Dr. Fernando is the first Sri Lankan to achieve a doctoral degree (PhD) in sports science in a Sri Lankan university. He has fulfilled the strong criteria outlined for the key post in country’s sports and topped the ‘Merit List’ compiled by a Cabinet Appointed Committee chaired by Anura Dissanayake, the Secretary to the Prime Minister and included Donald Fernando, the Secretary to the Cabinet and K. Mahesan, the Secretary Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. 

Dr. Fernando has also completed the International Olympic Committee’s academic degree, an Executive MSc in sports administration, securing an Olympic Solidarity scholarship. Besides, his credentials include a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and a Master of Science (MSc) in management spheres and the International Staff Course at the prestigious United States’ Naval War College and host of other post-graduate qualifications. 

He is the recipient of the prestigious Presidential Sports Award for Sri Lanka’s Most Outstanding Sports Science Academic in 2017 and 2018 as well as Silk Sports Award for the Outstanding Academic Achiever of 2018. He is also chosen first in the “Order of Merit” of the Kotelawala Defence University Convocation for his doctoral thesis on “strategies to win elite medals for Sri Lanka in sports.” 

A product of Royal College, Colombo and a passionate sports administrator, he has gained invaluable experience and exposure through decades of interactive association with the National Olympic Committee as well as holding office of President, Vice President and Secretary General of National Sports Federations with wider international audiences all along his unblemished and decorative professional career in the Sri Lanka Navy where he rose to the two-star rank of an Admiral and held key Director General posts at Naval Headquarters. 

He has also become the first Sri Lankan to be honoured by the International Society of Olympic Historians (ISOH) in recognition of his postdoctoral research. Interested in the dissemination of the sports philosophy, he has lectured at numerous universities and published more than 200 papers, in a variety of popular publications, including the Olympic World Library, extensively on Olympism, Olympic Games and almost on all sports. He serves as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Sports Management. 

As the Chef-De-Mission of Team Sri Lanka, he contributed towards winning Men’s Cricket Gold for Sri Lanka at Incheon 2014 Asian Games. He has admirably led Sri Lankan Contingents to Athens 2004 Olympic Games, London 2012 Olympic Games, Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, Sherbrook 2003 World Youth Championships, Catania 2003 World Military Games, Doha 2006 Asian Games, Hyderabad 2007 World Military Games, Isle of Man 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Incheon 2014 Asian Games. 

A statement from the Ministry said Professor Fernando’s appointment as the Director General of Sports is significant as he will be responsible for development and implementation of sports programs across the country, working closely with innumerable stakeholders. With his academic achievements and wealth of experience, he will bring rich and diverse skills and experience, including at the very highest levels of international relations with IOC and International Federations.

The appointment of the most deserving professional to the chair demonstrates the government’s commitment towards promoting sports in Sri Lanka and investing in the country’s elite athletes. Fernando is a great choice for the role and will make significant contributions towards navigating the ever challenging landscape, identify new opportunities to uplift sports and sports economy and effectively respond to challengers through diplomacy and networking.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Roshan Ranasinghe afforded equal opportunities to all Sri Lankan sports academics with strong track records of successful program implementation, supported with excellent communication and leadership skills, to come forward to serve sports in the country and it augurs well for the future of sports in Sri Lanka.